Pisa, the Italian Disneyland

First stop on our short stay in Tuscany: Pisa. Like many people we had come to see the tower ... like many people, indeed.

It's lovely Piazza Duomo, Baptistery with its impressive, high cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower, all in the same axis (although the tower has some air to try to escape) and all marble. On the side, the camposanto completes this unique collection of monuments. It's not for nothing that it is called the Square of Miracles, that place. That would just beauty and architectural uniqueness of the various buildings. And it's true that it throws. Simply bad we're thousands trying to take pictures (always the same which is more) trying to straighten this poor tower while specialists are already loaded from the 90s Apart there is so many that there are even some who completely miss their photo, unable to get closer. This is the harsh law of the urban jungle ...

So, with all these people (we even crossed Lamas) and craft markets as a McDonalds, the nerve center of Pisa quickly took false air of Disneyland ... until the price: 18 € per person to climb the tower. Ouch! € 5 for other monuments. There would not abuse that a little? It was like everyone else, an original picture and we had to be content. It was willing to visit the cathedral, the only building where access is free, but there were so many people had to wait 19h (maybe those who pay have entries more quickly) and we could not. Oh well! There was still a little close for a closer look and enjoy the beautiful curtain that prevents you to take a look inside. It really is a beautiful curtain!

100m went back and forth, in the student quarter hopefully get turned less for lunch. We did not have enough back. Well, it was not ignoble, but it confirms that we can do better in Tuscany. In Pisa, especially around the Square of Miracles, unless a miracle indeed, nothing is less certain. No food-tower in Pisa then, but we expected after all. It does not matter, we are happy anyway, never discouraged, we decided to dig a little in the rest of the city.

One criticism is criticism, but promised, we came in peace. Pisa and Love!
If the rest of the city is generally less catchy, we will advise you of even spend a short day if you have time. Stroll along the banks of the Arno is quite nice to discover deeper the whole architecture of the city. Otherwise, we enjoyed the Corso Italia for shopping, Piazza dei Cavalieri including the Palazzo della Carovana or the Borgo stretto with its old arches. Visit level, there will be benefited from the Fondazione Palazzo Blu for a closer look inside a palace. Finally, Cappella di Sant'Agata sympathetic (sounds like Hagrid's house) behind the Chiesa di San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno and the Church of Santa Maria della Spina, isolated on the banks of the Arno, we have moved .

9 questions or statements about the trip I often hear

This must be 6 or 7 years although the travel bug really took me. Since then, when I talk about my travels and my projects, people in front of me react in various ways. Issues or claims often come back. Here are the most common:

1 "You're lucky! "

A classic. As soon as you do something a bit special, this is often what people will say. Especially if that person would actually do it. At least that is what she believes not realizing all that that implies. In fact, using this expression, people do not think it means too much I feel. This is the same as the "hello, are you? ".

But traveling is not a matter of chance, except to be born in a country that allows it. No, it's mostly the motivation, commitment and sacrifice. A question of priorities.

Since I try not to use that term too. Before a person, I will prefer to say "congratulations, you have courage! , "" What motivation! , "Or" well! How did you do? "Etc.

2 "Why do not you go five weeks, it's the same! "

No, it's different. Five weeks is an area of ​​limited time. Admittedly, this is not so bad if you think that many can only take 2 or 3 weeks of vacation in a row.

However, it takes several months to really disconnect from our daily lives and our bearings. It takes some time to be fully immersed in the elsewhere. Only the long voyage permits (or abroad). Alone allows you to feel this total freedom that independent travel.

More frustration of having to go home when you start Verily get it on. And what freedom could stay if you like two days or a week in a place you love! The journey is so happy to be savored slowly. The slow travel is the best!

3 "Why, you're not right there? "

Hmm, what to say to that? Many people think that travel is reduced to a leak, that necessarily, if one hand is that is not good where we are. There are certainly some truth in that. The leak may be more or less present as travelers. She is sometimes starting with a first long trip.

However, it's more complex than that. Curiosity, seeking a greater intensity of life are sufficient engines. Moreover, in many cases, this information is the fact of person who does not have the same experience as you and who therefore can not easily understand. In France, the long journey is not as how he can be in Anglo-Saxon countries. For us, the long journey was something unconventional, so sometimes it's scary.

4 "You're rich! "

Funniest maybe. Sometimes it's a person who drives a new car at 20 000 who said that. Or earns 3 times the minimum wage. The concept of wealth is relative.

5 "And retirement? "

Perhaps you've heard that question. And not just as part of the trip. I refer you to my article about it!

6 "It is dangerous all these countries" 

Certainly, it is more risky than staying on the couch. After, pushing further, traveling, it becomes clear that this is no more dangerous than to walk alone in some areas of our major cities. In France, too, can be assaulted.

Of course, in some areas, have to be careful, especially in large cities of Latin America or in certain countries. However, I've never felt unsafe. It's affirmation is primarily related to a fear of the unknown and ignorance of reality.

7 "You travel alone, you will not only bored, you do not feel alone? "

When traveling, we will further towards others. And others go more towards us, especially if you are alone. Unless you really seek solitude, it's hard to be alone for a long time while traveling.

8 "It is not real life! This is not reality! "

This statement has always puzzled me. What is reality really? Real life, our reality, that's life as we shape ourselves. The realities of life are unique to each and different. It is nowhere written that must be a just life.

9 "Travel, why? "

Okay, so, personally, at this point, I confess, I lost my motivation for discussion ...

Have you ever heard these statements? Maybe you could add one?